It all began sometime around early 2001, when Vosloorus resident, Zaid Sipho Khumalo spotted a need for a local newspaper to serve the interests of the communities in the three largest townships in what was then known as the East Rand, Vosloorus, Thokoza and Katlehong..Khumalo dreamed of launching such a newspaper to be the “bridge” between these communities, their municipality, other government stake-holders and local businesses and industries.His dream soon became a reality. The first edition of the Kathorus Mail, with a print order of 20 000, hit the streets in August the following year. The newspaper immediately took flight being voted the “Best Emerging Community Newspaper” at the Sanlam Community Press Awards only two year later.Since then , with the much valued support of clients, including Clinix Hospitals, Total SA, Springbok Pharmacy, Fair Price and Build-It the paper has grown from strength to strength.

Now from the end of July – to even better service its ever growing communities – Kathorus Mail will be taking a giant leap forward by upping its print order per edition to 55 000 and increasing frequency from monthly to fortnightly.
Zaid Khumalo has sold a minority stake in his newspaper to Caxton Local Newspapers to help him to achieve this, but being the majority stakeholder, will remain hands on at the helm.

However, exciting further innovations this tie-up has made possible include the launching of the newspaper’s own website www.kathorusmail.co.za shortly and that the newspaper will now be largely home delivered rather than bulk dropped – great news for readers and advertisers alike!